Man of the match Hawera starred at flyhalf and injected some much-needed venom into an attack that had scored just 52 points in the opening three rounds - the second-lowest total in Super Rugby.

It wasn't perfect but the Brumbies seem a lot more balanced in attack with as Hawera immediately tapped into the combination he formed with scrumhalf Joe Powell last season.

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Wharenui Hawera of the Brumbies battles the Chiefs in a trial match.Credit:Stuart Walmsley

Co-captain Christian Lealiifano slid into the No. 12 jersey with ease, and one-Test Wallaby Kyle Godwin looks to have a fight on his hands to get back into the starting XV.

The Brumbies' goal kicking had been woeful this season with a 27 per cent strike rate - but Hawera, who ousted Lealiifano in a "kick off" at the game rehearsal on Friday, nailed five from six with two coming from the halfway line and beyond.

"I thought was very good in the NRC and that first kick gave him a lot of confidence and in the end it played a massive role in the result. Bruz [Lealiifano] was good at 12, Andy was good.

"When Bruz went to the posts first up, myself and Laurie looked at each other a little bit surprised to be honest but full credit to the bloke, he proved us wrong and I'll be happy for him to take them from now on."

Joe Powell a threat with ball in hand

You've got two options - kick the ball 30 metres down field and find touch, or you can be a threat in attack and split the defence around the ruck.

If that's what McKellar said to his scrumhalf, Powell obviously wanted to take the second option.

The 23-year-old looked threatening amongst a pack of tiring forwards and laid the platform for winger Henry Speight to score his 13th try in 24 games against South African opposition.

While every Powell dash didn't result in points, it was certainly a much more enticing option than a kick. Powell put the defence in two minds and offered some spark to the Brumbies offence.

Brumbies see yellow

Twice the Brumbies were down to 14 men. Once the Sharks scored. Christian Lealiifano says that shows just how resilient the Brumbies are.

Flanker Lachlan McCaffrey and tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa both spent time in the bin as the penalties stacked up against the hosts.

For a period it was all the Sharks - the visitors had stolen the momentum with the Brumbies down a man. It's something McKellar's outfit can't afford to do against the competition heavyweights.

Even Henry Speight was jumping in to help with the scrums.

First half run, second half grind

There is plenty to like about a new look Brumbies outfit as the club looks to recover from the its first consecutive Australian derby losses in almost three years.

The attack showed glimpses of promise in the first half, with winger Lausii Taliauli enjoying a solid return from a ruptured ACL while fullback Andrew Muirhead added x-factor.

But with a new attack comes a need for patience - the Brumbies had all the ball but could only add two tries as the second half turned into a grind.

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"At times [we felt free]. Having Andy out there, he's a kid that wants to get the footy in his hands so he's looking for opportunities to get it there," Lealiifano said.

"When you've got guys communicating well and you've got your finishers like Henry and Lausii on the wings, it makes your life pretty easy when you're getting chat from the outside that they want the footy."